Abu Dhabi-based carrier to start service from Sri Lanka to Rickenbacker Airport

A British supply-chain trade website has reported that Rickenbacker International Airport soon will be scheduling weekly incoming flights from Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Cargo on behalf of fashion shipping company, Trinity Logistics.

The Loadstar (theloadstar.co.uk) reported last week that Etihad will begin providing Trinity with weekly widebody cargo service from the Sri Lankan capitol of Colombo to Columbus.

Each flight, then, is expected to continue to East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom.

It is reported that the “multimillion-dollar” deal comes after a successful trial during the summer, which involved operating several charter flights.

Trinity, which is based in New York, specializes in fashion logistics, and the flights are expected to serve U.S. big box retailers from garment manufacturers in Sri Lanka.

The plan supports the company’s interest in growing the U.S. export market in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Etihad fleet includes four A330Fs, five 777Fs and a 747-8F on wet-lease from Atlas Air. The airline said it would use 777Fs and the 747-8F on the route, the report detailed.

Columbus Regional Airport Authority Vice President of Business Development and Communications David Whitaker was in meetings off site and unavailable for immediate comment when contacted by phone.

Rickenbacker’s foreign-trade zone ranked No. 1 in the United States for textile and footwear imports in 2015.

In excess of $7.8 billion worth of goods passed through the trade zone last year — a reported 37 percent rise over 2014.

Rickenbacker’s proximity to major U.S. markets and large retailers, such as L Brands and Abercrombie & Fitch figured prominently in consideration of the deal, reporting detailed.

With apparel exports accounting for 40 percent of the Sri Lanka’s total exports, the country has become a popular manufacturing center for brands, such as Victoria’s Secret, GAP, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Speedo and Abercrombie & Fitch.